It's finally up!
Enjoy =)
Draco POV
I awake from another nightmare, no doubt caused by my father. I no longer remember my nightmares when I wake up, but they still leave me shaken up. When this happens I normally sneak into Gryffindor and climb in beside Harry. Other times he is already beside me, so I curl into his arms and instantly feel better. Judging by the sky outside it's only about 1am.
I get up out of bed to climb in beside Harry, but I soon see that Harry isn't in his bed. This confuses me, as Harry isn't normally awake at this time.
I make my down the mountain of stairs to see if I can find him. I get as far as the living room and I stop upon hearing his voice.
"Today he scared the shit out of me. He was fine on the train, but when I was unpacking he just sat on the bed staring out the window. He was dangerously quiet and when he did speak he sounded so... so... depressed." I heard Harry say.
"Even I have noticed the changes in his behaviour and moods." Snape interjects. When did Snape, get here? I think to myself.
"You don't suppose Lucius, is getting to him do you?" Ron asks.
"Of course, he is!" Snape snaps.
"Calm down, Severus. He meant in the same way he got to you. Is Lucius, possessing him?" Lupin answers my Godfather.
"No." Harry begins. "I would know, I spend the most time with him. While his mood changes can be as drastic as Snape's were, it's different. I don't how to explain it."
"Sounds to me, like he has some kind of mood disorder." Who asked your opinion Granger. I think in response.
"Oh yes! I've read about those on a muggle medical leaflet. It was very interesting." Mr Weasley adds. I can't help, but smile at his childlike interest and excitement with muggle things.
"Really, Arthur? This is no time to discuss how fascinating muggle things are." Mrs Weasley scolds her husband.
"Perhaps a trip to St. Mungo's after the holidays would be a good idea. Someone there would be able to determine what is wrong." Remus suggests.
No, I don't need to go to St. Mungo's. I'm fine.
"Draco, does not need to go to some hospital!" Harry protests.
That's right! You tell them, Harry.
"Harry," Granger begins, "The wizarding world is not immune to mental illnesses. Just look at Tom Riddle."
"Draco, is nothing like Voldemort. He wouldn't go running around killing people for power!" Harry snaps.
"We know he wouldn't do that mate, but... he might kill himself." Ron says.
"As much as I hate to admit it, I agree with Ronald." Snape interjects.
"That was weeks ago." Harry tries to protest. I love him for standing up for me.
"And if he tries again?" Snape's question is met only with silence, "And I know he hasn't stopped self harming."
I decide I don't want, nor do I need to hear any more. I make my way back up the stairs. I pick up my bag, which is still unopened. I didn't see the point in unpacking. I figured the Weasleys would remember everything I've done and then not want me in their home any more. But after hearing how much I've worried everyone, I don't want me in their home any more. I don't deserve their kindness, and I refuse to cause Harry, and Snape, any more hurt and worry. They're better off and safer without me.
With that thought in mind, I creep the stairs, moving extra quietly past the living room. They are all still talking, but I don't stop to listen. As soon as I'm outside, I grab my broom out of my bag. I'm glad I thought to pack it. I had to use an extension spell to fit it in, but it was worth it. I mounted my broom and flew off into the night. At this hour I don't have to worry about muggles seeing me, but just to be safe I fly through the clouds for extra camouflage.
It's about an hour before sunrise, so I lower my broom and land somewhere along a coast. I'm not entirely sure where I am, but it doesn't matter. I find a comfortable spot in the sand to lay down and rest.
Harry POV
I lower my head and sigh, "You're right. We can't take that chance."
"Then it's settled." Arthur Weasley concludes, "We will take Draco, to St. Mungos after Christmas."
"Now that is sorted, everyone back to bed. Ronald is a pain when he doesn't get enough sleep." Mrs Weasley orders.
"Mum!" Ron wines, leading the way up the stairs.
I feel ready to drop as I finally reach mine and Draco's, room, "Do you want me to come in beside you?" I ask, upon entering the room. However I instantly notice he isn't in his bed and that his bag is missing. I run back out of the room, "He's gone! Draco, ran away!" I shout down the stairwell.
"What? How?" Mrs Weasley calls back, from the bottom of the stairs.
Suddenly heads begin popping over the stairs banister. "I thought he was asleep when you left?" Ron asks.
"He was!" I reply.
I can see Mr Weasley scratching his head in confusion, "Surely we weren't talking for that long."
I let out a frustrated sigh, "None of that matter! Draco, is missing and we need to find him. It's not safe for him to be on his own. There are witches and wizards who refuse to forget the Malfoy's part in the war."
Hermione nods in agreement, "Okay, so what's the plan? Where would he go?"
I pause a moment to think, "I don't know."
"Potter, think!" Severus snaps.
I see Lupin place a hand on Snape's shoulder to calm him down a bit, "Did he say anything to you on the train?" Lupin asks.
"No, he slept the whole journey."
"What about his sleep?" Ron asks, dumbly.
"Huh?" I can never understand Ron when he is lazy or tired with forming sentences.
"What Ron, means is... Did he say anything in his sleep?" Hermione interjects.
I think over the train journey for a few minutes, "I know where he is!"
Draco POV
"You may now open your presents, Draco." My Father announced to me. I looked over at Mother, she nodded at me. I took that as permission to go ahead. I tore open the biggest present first, naturally.
It was a Hogwarts express train set, "Thank you, Father! I love it!"
"It is your mother you should thank. I wanted to get you the 'All Of Pure-blood History' book." My Father answered, with an expressionless. Nothing new there.
"Thanks, Mum-" Father raised an eyebrow in disapproval. "Thank you, Mother." I corrected.
"This is from me." Father said, handing me a present wrapped in emerald wrapping paper.
The present turned out to be father's Slytherin scarf, from when he was at Hogwarts. "Thank you, Father." I said out of respect. Even as a child my Father was unaffectionate towards me. However it didn't bother, because it was all I knew.
"When you walk into the Great Hall for the first time and have that ignorant sorting hat place upon your head, I know you will follow in my footsteps and be sorted into Slytherin. You will make me proud." Father smiled. It was a rare thing to see my Father smile. It was even rarer for it to be directed at me. So when it did happen I lapped it up.
"I won't disappoint you." I answered, naively. Due to my childish ignorance, I really meant it.
Later that evening I was playing with my train set. It was the most amazing toy ever. You could make the train fly above the track using a simple levitation spell. Which I was able to do with a toy wand for my sixth birthday last year. He wanted me to have a head start at learning spells.
It was then that Dobby came in to clean the living room. "Hello, Master Draco. I am very pleased to see you again." Dobby greeted me.
"I'm very pleased to see yo too. Mother and Father are busy with work stuff, so I have no one to play with."
"I'm sorry, Master Draco, is so lonely."
"Do you want to play with me? I won't tell Father, I promise." I urged.
"Maybe for a little while."
I was the train driver and Dobby was the crazy trolley lady. It was so much fun. I loved it when Dobby would play with me. He was my best friend.
"Dobby!" Father screamed, causing us both to tremble with fear, "Why are fraternising with my son?"
"My apologizes, Master Malfoy." The elf pleaded.
"Never mind the pointless apologies, elf! Just get in that kitchen and help my wife with dinner!" He ordered, kicking Dobby hard as he moved towards the kitchen.
Angry at Father for mistreating my friend I rose to my feet, to stand up to him. "You didn't have to kick him! He was only playing with me, because I asked him to." I yelled.
Father lifted his hand to strike me, demolishing my sudden burst of confidence. In stead of hitting me he grabbed me by the scruff. "Don't you ever speak to me like that again! And if I catch you playing with the help again, he will receive more than that. Am I understood?" I nodded fearfully. With that my Father left me, fighting back tears.
I awoke to the sun shinning in my face. I was a beautiful sight to wake up to. I soon remembered where I am and why I'm here. I'm a little bit away from where Dobby was buried.
I asked Harry, the other day how he died. He hesitantly told me in every detail I asked for. Naturally I asked where he had buried him.
I'm here to do something that I should have done a long time ago.
I get up and begin walking along the shore. As I get closer, I drift more towards the sandy embankment. It isn't long until I find what I'm looking for.
I stop and stare at Dobby's grave. A wave of emotion overcomes me, making it impossible for me to stay standing. I fall to my knees and trace the words on the stone with my fingers.
'Here lies, Dobby. A free elf.'
I couldn't say it before, but I'm glad Harry, freed Dobby. I should have done it a long time ago, but I was too afraid of my father. After that Christmas, our friendship began to deteriorate.
"I'm so sorry, Dobby." I say, to where his body lay, "It's my fault you died. I should have been braver to stop, Bellatrix. I shouldn't have let Lucius, treat you the way he did. And I'm sorry I wasn't a better friend." I begin to sob.
Suddenly a hand is placed on my shoulder, "I'm sure you were a better friend than you think." I tun around to see Harry, standing behind me.
"How did you find me?" I ask.
Harry, gets down on his knees beside me, "I remembered you asking me about how Dobby, died. And where he was buried. You also kept mumbling his name and saying how sorry you were on the train. It wasn't hard to work out." The Gryffindor pauses, "Why did you run away?"
"I overheard you all talking last night. A conversation concerning my mental state. I hate myself for causing you all to worry so much. So I thought it better to leave, and without me you're all safe from, Lucius."
Harry shakes his head in disagreement, "You're wrong. You can't fight him alone and if he gets what he wants the whole world, wizards and muggles, will be in danger. We are all in this fight together. As for your mental state, I know yo don't like the idea of going to St. Mungos, but wouldn't it be better to deal with it? So you have one less battle to fight."
I consider all that the Gryffindor said, "I guess you're right." I comply.
"Then let's get back to burrow. Everyone was worried sick." Harry tells, helping me to my feet.
Thanks for the reviews, keep'em ccoming. Thanks so much for reading, you guys are the best!
Until the next chapter ;)
